AVA SPOTLIGHT: ANDERSON VALLEY

While the Sonoma Coast is currently receiving the most attention for Pinot Noir, there are other AVAs in California producing quality versions. Notable among them is Anderson Valley.

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Located in Mendocino County, the area has a history of grapegrowing dating to the late 1800s. The first commercial grapegrowing operation was started just after the end of World War II, yet the first Pinot Noir vines weren't planted until 1968, by the Husch family. During these cottage-industry years, Jed Steele helped bring some recognition to the area with old-vine Zinfandels from the Mendocino Ridge that runs above the valley. The early 1970s saw Husch Vineyards (first crush 1971), Edmeades (1972) and Navarro Vineyards (1973) begin production. Husch was the first to focus on Pinot Noir, while others chased Zinfandel and whites such as Riesling and Gewürztraminer.